Letter of the Week
This week's LOW goes to Greer Thomas, if for no other reason than his dogged persistence. Like Fox Mulder, Thomas and the rest of the Truthers keep searching with the knowledge that "The Truth Is Out There." We may not agree with their premise, but we certainly respect their stick-to-it-ness.
Many persons in the 9/11 truth movement have studied the events for four years, longer than they attended high school. They have examined the evidence and now understand that the official explanation of 9/11 is impossible.
The masterful books by David Ray Griffin, a former college professor and theologian provides a framework to study and think about the 9/11 events. Although Griffin has been called by critics the "high priest of the conspiracy nuts," anyone who has read his thoughtful and well reasoned analysis, knows that Griffin speaks truth to power.
Griffin is a critical thinker. He is honest, truthful and, most importantly, realistic. Importantly, he points out that the official story of 9/11 is also a conspiracy theory.
Numerous Americans are now aware of the many lies the Bush/Cheney administration told to get us into these highly profitable wars (for war profiteers only). The same people will defend this administration against its probable involvement in facilitating 9/11, saying "they would never do such a thing".
David Ray Griffin discusses this phenomenon in context of the deepest American religion, not Christianity, rather, the belief in American Goodness and Exceptionalism. Americans understand that other countries have corrupt governments and leaders, but ours could never be. Bush's Christian veneer makes him even more insulated from doubt. George Bush? Ignorant? Maybe. Naïve? Probably. Corny capitalist? Uh-huh. But corrupt? Impossible.
Griffin reminds us of the famous quote from Lord Acton in an 1887 letter to Bishop Creighton: "power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Being aware of this, Griffin says it is surprising that so many Americans will defend those in power on an a priori basis in defiance of what should be common sense and suspicion.
For critical thinkers, the realization that all persons in power, even in America, are likely corrupt, makes it much easier to question authority. When you think of all those in power as corruptible or corrupt, you will begin to discover personal freedom.
You will be free to think for yourself, free to look at and evaluate all evidence and free to understand that the official story of 9/11 is simply impossible. You will be honoring the great American Patriot Thomas Jefferson, who said that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism".
The cover-up of 9/11 and the stifling of open and honest questioning about 9/11 have added insult to injury to the American psyche. The events should be viewed as an unsolved crime, not an external attack. The perpetrators remain at large and may wield more power than ever.
Could those in power in this country ever be corrupt enough to commit murder of their own citizens and treason? Of course not. After all, this is America.
Greer Thomas, Bend
